Gloydius brevicauda is a pit viper species[2] endemic to China and the Korean Peninsula.

On average, male specimens had a tail that was 12–15% (13.5%) of total length, while in females this was 11–13% (11.7%).

[4] The scalation usually includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, all of which are keeled except the lowermost on the anterior part of the body.

[4] The color pattern consists of a light brown or gray ground color, overlaid with a pattern of 23–36 pairs of dorsolateral blotches or half-bands that oppose or alternate on either side of the middorsal line.

The head includes a dark and clearly defined postocular stripe that is sharply bordered above and below by yellow or white.